A total of 56 positions, including more than 40 jobs in the teaching ranks, will be cut from the Waterloo Region District School Board payroll next year.
Due to declining enrolment, the board has cut 44 positions from its ‘long-term occasional’ allotment, a list for teachers hoping to end up in full-time positions.
“We would project that next year, there will be fewer opportunities for people who are looking for permanent contract positions than there were last year,” WRDSB executive superintendent Mark Schinkel tells CTV News.
Only high school teachers are affected by the move, which is part of a series of changes designed to help the board contend with a large projected deficit
WRDSB officials say they have found other jobs for 40 of the 44 people impacted, with staff reductions for the 2013-14 school year coming mainly through retirements and leaves of absence.
Aspiring teachers already face significant competition for a comparatively limited number of job openings, an issue Schinkel acknowledges.
“It’s challenging for them, and we recognize there’s a tremendous amount of talent out there,” he says.
“We wish we could find places for all of those aspiring teachers. For those who are looking for positions, unfortunately there are fewer positions available.”
At a Wednesday night meeting, trustees were briefed on the board’s other deficit-fighting measures, including the elimination of another 12 positions among support staff, bringing the total number of reductions to 56.
Again, board staff say the cuts will take place without the need for layoffs due to retirements and other forms of attrition.
Even after the job cuts take effect, the board will still face a $3.1-million deficit in 2013-14.
Board officials say they plan to cover that deficit with money accumulated through surplus budgets in previous years.
